This morning I cleaned my stove. Youknow, took out the burners and the drip pans and cleaned all the accumulatedgunk. Most of it wiped up easily, but a few spots took a little elbow greaseand some steel wool pads. Before long, the stove looked shiny and (nearly) new.As I worked, my mind meandered, as ittendsContinue reading “Cleaning the Stove”
Category Archives: short devotional
The Eyes Have It
The Eyes Have It As I taught the simple rhythm game, dozens of pairs of dark brown eyes danced with glee. Huge smiles covered the faces of the beautiful children sitting on the floor with me in this church in the poorest section of Matamoros, Mexico. In spite of the language barriers—the children spokeContinue reading “The Eyes Have It”
In the Light
How beautiful and reassuring. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice,
Seeing the Dawn
After an unusually difficult two months—several lingering illnesses that left me constantly fatigued, my father-in-law’s serious stroke, caring for my mother-in-law—I was feeling tired, stressed, and discouraged. Driving to work, I shed a few tears of self- pity. As I turned to the east, a gorgeous sunrise greeted me. Thin clouds created a golden pinkContinue reading “Seeing the Dawn”
Estes Park
I sit at the edge of the amphitheater where the rangers give their nightly talks. Early in the morning I’m the only one here. The sun has just risen above the mountains, and I stare at the beauty all around me. Everywhere I look, the majestic Rocky Mountains raise their granite peaks skyward. Even inContinue reading “Estes Park”
Footprints in the Sand
We walk along the water’s edge, watching the foam from the waves rush up, attempting to capture the sand, then fall back to join the blue ocean water. Our heads down, we look in the sand for shells or coral unbroken by the battering waves. I stoop to examine a piece of elkhorn coral brokenContinue reading “Footprints in the Sand”
Wordless Love
I don’t remember hearing my parents telling me, “I love you,” but I know they do. They have shown their love in countless ways. When I was growing up they worked hard to provide a comfortable home, food, and clothing. They made sure my brothers didn’t pick on me, at least not too much. EvenContinue reading “Wordless Love”
A Woodland Sanctuary
As I walked the nature trails, I wandered off the beaten path. Large toadstools nestled under a grove of blue spruce trees attracted my attention. Pushing aside branches, I walked fifteen feet, entering a small clearing. The ground, carpeted with years of accumulated needles, felt soft beneath my feet. A chorus of crickets broke theContinue reading “A Woodland Sanctuary”
The Beckoning Whispers
As I sit in the kitchen, the sound of the sea beckons me. From the beach house, the waters whisper, calling me to the beach. I grab my sunscreen and my towel and walk across the street and into the soft, dry sand. I sink ankle deep with each step, the gentle waves whooshingContinue reading “The Beckoning Whispers”
At a Snail’s Pace
During a recent walk, I noticed a tiny snail, its shell no bigger than a dime. It appeared motionless, but when I knelt down for a zoomed-in photo, I could see its forward progress. Ever so slowly, it traveled, a millimeter at a time, across the sidewalk. Satisfied with my photo, I continued my walk.Continue reading “At a Snail’s Pace”
Growing Our Faith Together 